Rising Stars: Meet Jay Waterman of Visalia, Central Valley, CA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Waterman.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Where I am today is only possible because I went to treatment and got sober in 2014. Going to treatment was possible because of an intervention. The intervention was possible because people believed I could recover. Rehab was life-changing. So much so that I shifted career focus away from entertainment publicity and toward helping others along the path of sobriety. I started small when starting over. I volunteered in treatment facilities. I stepped into the role of a technician. I advanced to certified counselor after completing a year of education. I worked in residential settings, prison yards, and outpatient facilities, eventually landing in front of my boss and mentor in 2021, who I still work for today. I am surrounded by sobriety in all its complexities – the messy challenges and unexpected victories. Its an environment of emotion so I use all my skills to stay grounded. I can’t imagine doing anything else.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’m unfamiliar with a smooth road lol. Anxiety and OCD do their best to make my world small and lonely. But sobriety is always calling me to be expansive and creative. It’s the friction between the two that creates the roadblocks.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I run Visalia Recovery Center in Visalia, CA, an outpatient treatment facility. We offer four programs: two IOP programs, one PHP program, and an alumni aftercare program. I manage the clinical team and I am responsible for the delivery of services and the fidelity of the program. I review clinical documentation in the EMR and audit charts for accuracy and compliance. Our goal is to create the most inclusive, therapeutic environment for our clients and we never compromise the quality of the services we provide. We are proud to partner with The Source LGBT+ center to provide in-house HIV and STI testing, educating our clients about the intersection between substance use and risky behaviors. Nearly everyone on staff identifies as being in recovery. Lived experience is valuable in this field. Lived experience promotes empathy and understanding. Lived experience also reminds the clinician to hold the line of accountability.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love the diversity of the people. I love the architecture – the blurred lines between inside and out. I love a craggy cliff and tidepool moment. I love the Wayfarers Chapel, though they recently disassembled it and plan to relocate it. I love that my parents are still here in the town where I grew up. I love that I met my partner, Brian, in a beautiful old gothic church in Hollywood. I dislike the uninspired big box apartment buildings. Bring back smaller courtyard buildings. Bring back Melrose Place!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://visaliarecoverycenter.com